Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan Previews Next-Gen Compact Four-Door

Shanghai show car dazzles with glowing 3D headlights

has revealed the Concept A Sedan ahead of the Shanghai auto show. In addition to previewing a sedan variant of the , the show car provides a glimpse at the next-gen A-Class.

With its wide grille and angled-in headlights, the Concept A Sedan bears a resemblance to the from the front. The Concept A's headlights are more angular, however, and feature a 3D grid element within the housings that glows different colors depending on the light source, thanks to a coating of UV paint. The taillights feature the same internal grid structure, and mirror the headlights in shape.

2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

$32,700
Base Model (MSRP)
24/37 MPG
Fuel Economy

| Mercedes Benz Concept A Sedan headlight and grille closeup

| Mercedes-Benz Concept A Sedan Previews Next-Gen Compact Four-Door

Just looking at it, you may think this is a thinly veiled look at the next-gen CLA sedan. While that's definitely possible, we've heard that the A-Class sedan will be a separate model . The Concept A's dimensions don't give many clues as to where it will fit. The concept measures 179.9 inches long, or 2.4 inches shorter than a U.S.-spec CLA. It's also 3.6 inches wider and an inch taller, and is described as having "coupe-like" proportions.

| Mercedes Benz Concept A Sedan motion view from above

Regardless of where it will fall in the lineup, the Concept A is good-looking for a small car. says the concept marks the next evolution of its "sensual purity" design philosophy.

"Our Concept A Sedan shows that the time of creases is over," said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, in a release. "With its perfect proportions and a sensual treatment of surfaces with reduced lines, it is the next milestone of 'Sensual Purity' and has the potential to introduce a new design era."

| Mercedes Benz Concept A Sedan side view in motion

No details on powertrain were given, but expect a production version to receive turbocharged four-cylinder options, potentially making upwards of 355 hp in AMG trim. The production car will likely ride on a next-gen version of Mercedes' MFA platform, shared with next-gen iterations of the and B-Class, and will do battle directly with the .